Popeye Classic
Atari 2600 · Platformer / Action
Joust
Certified classic Co-op
| System | Atari 2600 |
|---|---|
| Genre | Platformer, Action |
| Developer | Williams |
| Publisher | Atari |
| Players | 1–2 players (co-op) |
| Commitment | Quick session (Under an hour, or endless arcade fun) |
| Legacy | Certified classic · legacy score 8 |
Joust is a platformer released for the Atari 2600, developed by Williams and published by Atari. It blends platformer and action elements.
Among the 31 2600 platformers in our database, it ranks #6 by legacy score.
Joust supports up to 2 players, including cooperative play, which makes it a strong pick for playing with a friend.
Pick it if…
- you want to run, jump and explore
- you have time for a quick session (under an hour, or endless arcade fun)
- you want a game to beat together with a friend
- you want to experience one of the 2600's defining games
Maybe skip it if…
- you get frustrated by precise jumps and limited lives
What playing Joust is like
Platformers are all about movement: running, jumping and timing your way across levels full of gaps, enemies and secrets. The best ones feel great to control within seconds and then slowly teach you to master every leap.
Tip for newcomers: Retro platformers often have limited lives and few checkpoints. Learn one level at a time, look for hidden 1-ups, and don't be shy about using a save feature when it is available.
Joust walkthroughs & guides
Stuck, or want to go deeper? These trusted sites have full walkthroughs, completion times and more for Joust.
If you like Joust, the Matrix also picks…
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Donkey Kong Classic
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Sonic the Hedgehog 3 Classic
Donkey Kong Jr. Classic
Super Mario All-Stars Classic
Space Panic Classic
Playing 2600 games today
Most 2600 games are built for short, score-chasing sessions, which makes them perfect for a quick nostalgia hit. Original hardware is cheap and plentiful, the Atari 2600+ reissue plays original cartridges on modern TVs, and official collections such as Atari 50 bundle many first-party classics.
Joust FAQ
Who made Joust?
It was developed by Williams and published by Atari.
Is Joust multiplayer?
Yes. Joust supports up to 2 players, including co-op play.
How long does Joust take to play?
As a platformer, Joust typically falls into the "Quick session" category: under an hour, or endless arcade fun. Your time will vary with skill and how much you explore.
Read more about Joust on Wikipedia. Facts on this page are compiled from the open libretro database and Wikidata; "legacy score" reflects how widely a game is documented across Wikipedia's language editions. Spotted an error? Let us know.